Indian-origin girl in UK a hit at school with her pink running blade

Following a successful showing at the 2016 Paralympics, the British government opened up its purse, setting aside £1.5 million for disabled children. However, the funding is due to run out in March 2018.

This seven-year-old Indian-origin girl in Birmingham, just like any other kid her age, loves to play and dance. And now, with her bespoke running blade, she can do whatever she wants, just like a normal child.

Anu’s leg had to be amputated shortly after she was born, and she has worn a prosthetic leg for years, but her new running blade is special — it was specially made for her.

“It makes me run faster and do my street dancing faster. It’s comfortable,” she told BBC Midlands Today. And as she played football with her father in her front yard, she delightfully yelled that her favourite colour is pink — the colour of her blade.

Following a successful showing at the 2016 Paralympics, the British government opened up its purse, setting aside £1.5 million for disabled children. Each of these legs costs £2,000 to £5,000, and has to be replaced at least once in two years.

A representative of the National Health Service, which is in charge of the funding, said, “The criteria for choosing who gets a running blade are that the children must be fit and well, as well as be of the right size, that is, not be too big or small.”

Anu plays football with her father.
(Screengrab)

However, the funding is due to run out in March 2018, and there is no indication that the grant will be renewed.

“Whatever possible is best for the kids... every parent will give their best. If it means selling off the property or something, they will try to give all the facilities a kid needs to be a normal kid and have a normal life,” Anu’s father said.

The BBC video ends with Anu going to school to show off her blade. And as she enters the schoolyard, her friends mob her, with one girl heard asking her, almost enviously: “Is that your new pink leg?”